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SONY A99 – Now this is a DSLR!

To satisfy demanding enthusiast, professional photographers and cinematographers, the 99 is ruggedly built to cope effortlessly with tough assignments as it sets new standards of imaging performance, creative options, user-focused ergonomics and reliability.

The 99 is the world’s lightest1 35 mm full-frame interchangeable lens digital camera. Incredibly, the 99 with all its pro-class credentials, weighs just 733g (without lens and battery). This is made possible by TMT, while high-rigidity magnesium alloy panels contribute to an extremely tough yet light design.

“This is the world’s first DSLR with professional movie recording capabilities and features which makes it ideal for videographers and film-makers. The 99 produces stunning movie quality audio made possible by the optional XLR box attachment” said Di Shepherd, Marketing Manager of Digital Imaging, Sony Australia.

The new 24.3-megapixel 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor delivers beautiful, finely detailed images from corner to corner with a wide dynamic range and low noise. This wide and high ISO sensitivity combines with extremely low noise to make the A99 a brilliant performer in dim lighting. Sony’s new XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 100% field of view will faithfully reproduce every detail as it appears in your recording. Accelerated BIONZ processing easily handles the massive 14-bit data generated by the 35mm full-frame sensor. New area-specific noise reduction also ensures clear, low-noise images over the entire sensitivity range.

The A99 has a rigid magnesium-alloy chassis reinforced by stainless steel and other structural components contributes to a supremely robust and lightweight camera. The A99 also features dust and moisture protection to withstand passionate usage in challenging conditions.

Lenses: new AF-D mode is supported by the SAL2470Z, SAL2875, SAL50F14, SAL300F28G2, SAL70400G and SAL500F4G lenses. More lenses will be supported via future firmware updates

New AF range control function: Allows users to set the distance range recognised by the AF system. This smart feature significantly aids operability if you’re focusing on distant sports action through a nearby wire mesh fence.

Crafted for videographers and movie-makers

World-leading ‘cinematic DNA’ from professional movie cameras and high-end camcorders by Sony: The unmatched resolving power and sensitivity of the full-frame sensor is complemented by advanced features optimised for professional video production.

Full-frame Full HD 50p/25p progressive video recording: Supports the needs of professional movie-makers and meets AVCHD Version 2.0 specifications.

Other movie-oriented enhancements: Real-time Full HD video output via HDMI, and uninterrupted dual-card recording using both of the camera’s media slots.

Silent new multi-controller: For extra convenience during movie shooting and easily accessible via a dial on the front of the camera body. This allows smooth, silent adjustment of exposure compensation, ISO sensitivity and metering method, shutter speed, aperture and audio record levels during Full HD video capture.

Shooting stamina: Tripled by partnering the camera with the new VG-C99AM vertical grip that houses up to three batteries in total. It’s even possible to exchange batteries ‘on the fly’ without interrupting movie recording.

Audio features: Significantly enhanced to meet the exacting needs of serious videographers. An audio level display and adjustable audio record levels are joined by a headphone jack for accurate in-the-field monitoring.

Full 100% view: Tru-Finder screen allows full view even when shooting with a DT lens that’s optimised for cameras with an APS-C sensor. Angle of view is converted automatically for image recording and display.

Viewfinder: Completely compatible with the APS-C format and displays scenes using the entire finder screen.

Weather-resistant: Protects against dust and moisture, while controls and buttons are ruggedised for years of unflinching operation on virtually any assignment. The camera’s stamina and reliability is underlined by a redesigned shutter block that’s tested to approximately 200,000 release cycles.

Ergonomics: Smooth, seamless workflow that doesn’t interrupt your creative focus for example, a re-designed grip, while switches and button shapes are differentiated for intuitive fingertip operation without taking an eye off your composition. There’s also a new exposure mode dial lock that prevents accidental rotation.

The full-frame imaging capabilities of the 99 make an ideal complement for the new 300mm F2.8 G SSM II (SAL300F28G2) lens. Designed for demanding sports and wildlife applications, this bright super-telephoto offers a significantly uprated optical design and improved handling compared with its predecessor. The Sony-developed Nano AR Coating on optical surfaces assures flawless still images and HD video with reduced flare and ghosting, offering enhanced contrast with crisp black, while a new LSI drive circuit offers faster, more accurate autofocus with enhanced tracking AF. The dust and moisture-resistant design makes the lens ideal for the toughest outdoor shooting assignments.

In addition, a new wide-aperture Carl Zeiss A-mount prime lens is now under development. Optimised for superb results with the camera’s 35mm full frame image sensor, the Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM will be available in Autumn 2013.

Offered exclusively as an option for the 99, the brand new VG-C99AM vertical grip can house and manage three batteries in total (including the camera’s own on-board battery). Resistant to dust and moisture, the grip is ideal for lengthy shooting sessions in the studio or outdoors.

The range-leading HVL-F60M is a powerful flash (GN60, in metres at ISO 100) with built-in LED light that’s ideal for creative applications with stills or movie shooting. Smart functions include wireless multi-flash ratio control and Sony’s unique Quick Shift Bounce adjustment, while operation can be controlled quickly via the flash’s intuitive Quick Navi system. Resistant to dust and moisture, the HVL-F60M comes supplied with a bounce adaptor for flash, and a colour conversion filter for use with LED lighting. Ideal for the 99 and other cameras featuring the new Multi Interface shoe, the HVL-F60M can also be used with auto-lock accessory shoe cameras via the supplied ADP-AMA shoe adaptor.

Compatible with 49mm and 55mm diameter lenses, the HVL-RL1 ring light offers highly effective LED illumination of small subjects that’s ideal for macro shooting. Its high output level (approx. 700 lx/0.3m) is approximately four times brighter than the previous model. Brightness can be adjusted easily for precise control of creative lighting effects. Operation can also be switched between full-ring illumination for shadow-less lighting and half-ring illumination to create shadow effects. The optional FA-MA1AM macro light adaptor is required when using the ring light with SAL30M28 or SAL50M28 lenses. Compatible with the Multi Interface shoe of the 99, the HVL-RL1 can also be used with cameras that have an auto-lock accessory shoe via the supplied ADP-AMA shoe adaptor.

The new XLR-K1M XLR adaptor kit meets the demanding audio needs of professional movie production. It provides two pro-standard XLR terminals for connecting the 99 with professional microphones and mixing consoles. Operating flexibility is maximised by MIC/LINE input selection and separate adjustment of two channel levels. The adaptor kit comes supplied with the ECM-XM1 monaural shotgun microphone, but may also be used with a wide range of professional microphones. An optional bracket is required when using the XLR-K1M with the 99.
The RMT-DSLR2 remote commander allows wireless shutter release for still images and start/stop control of video shooting. As well as the 99, it’s also compatible with other A-mount and E-mount cameras that include a remote control receiver.

Styled to reduce carrying fatigue, the LCS-BP3 backpack is designed to meet the stringent demands of professional photographers. Its generous capacity can hold the 99 camera body plus vertical grip and attached telephoto zoom lens, together with 3-4 spare lenses, accessories and a 15.5” laptop.

The ADP-MAA is a new shoe adaptor that allows Multi Interface shoe2 cameras to be used with auto-lock accessory shoe accessories. Conversely, the ADP-AMA she adaptor allows auto-lock accessory shoe cameras to be used with Multi Interface shoe accessories.

The PCK-LM14 screen protector semi hard sheet safeguards the camera’s LCD screen against dust, scratches and fingerprints. It’s supplied with a separate protector sheet for the top display panel.

I have to agree, sounds like a great bit of kit, I’ll be upgrading the A850 to the A99, I belive it’s a pro bit of kit, I’m also not too sure what Chris is referring to when saying it is not? (Chris, please could you help explain your point of view)

@Chris. You obviously have no idea what ISO is if you think the a900 is better than the a99. I have an a900, it’s a brilliant camera… But anything above ISO1000 is horrible. The Sony a99 at 6400 is clear as a bell. Even 12600 is usable. Soooo….